(Editor’s Note: The following blotter is a partial list of activities involving the Wolf Point police and volunteer fire departments between Dec. 8 and 14. All those arrested or cited are presumed innocent.)Dec. 88:13 a.m., officers responded to the Roosevelt County Sheriff’s Office for a report of a burglary on the 900 block of Fourth Avenue North with a loss valued under $1,000. The investigation continued at press time.9:23 a.m., officers took a report of vandalism to a vehicle on the 400 block of Johnson Street that occurred during the previous week.9:51 a.m., officers responded to a residence on the 500 block of Custer Street for a report of a burglary with a loss valued under $1,000. The investigation continued at press time.11:05 a.m., officers responded to the 900 block of Second Avenue North for a report of vandalism to a residence that occurred previously with a loss valued under $1,000. The investigation continued at press time.11:30 a.m., officers conducted a traffic stop on U.S. Hwy. 2 near Cenex East and cited Robert Daniels Jr., 41, of Wolf Point for speeding.7:30 p.m., officers responded to the Roosevelt County Library for a report of an assault with minor injuries to a 15-year-old girl. The investigation continued at press time.10:53 p.m., officers responded to McDonalds for a report of an intoxicated male causing a disturbance and arrested Seth Laverdeur, 18, of Wolf Point on a warrant.Dec. 92:26 a.m., officers responded to a residence on the 400 block of Granville Street for a report of a man causing a disturbance and arrested Breon Dupree, 31, of Wolf Point for criminal trespass.9:09 a.m., officers responded to Albertson’s for a report of a theft from a customer with a loss valued under $1,000. The investigation continued at press time.7:50 p.m., officers responded to a residence on the 300 block of Custer Street for a report of vandalism to a building with a loss valued under $1,000. The investigation continued at press time.Dec. 1012:14 a.m., officers responded to a residence on the 200 block of First Avenue South for a report of an intoxicated male causing a disturbance in the yard and arrested Royce Birdsbill Sr., 35, of Wolf Point for disorderly conduct.3:47 a.m., officers responded to Town Pump for a report of a beer theft and cited Anthony Deleon, 24, of Poplar for theft.12:13 p.m., officers responded to a residence on the 300 block of Dawson Street for a report of a motor vehicle accident and cited Garrett Paulson, 23, of Wolf Point for interfering with traffic while backing.3:09 p.m., officers responded to Bryan’s for a report of shoplifting with a loss valued under $1,000. The investigation continued at press time.Dec. 1110:40 a.m., officers responded to the 200 block of Second Avenue South for a report of a motor vehicle accident and cited Maudie Peterson, 76, of Wolf Point for interfering with traffic while backing.Time not stated: officers cited Tyson Black Eagle, 30, of Wolf Point for theft.Dec. 129:31 a.m., officers responded to a residence on the 300 block of Eureka Street for a report of vandalism to the residence that occurred the previous day. The investigation continued at press time.11:26 p.m., officers responded to the 400 block of Second Avenue South for a report of a male sleeping outside and transported the individual to his home.Dec. 135:21 p.m., officers responded to Cenex West for a report of a fight in progress with minor injuries to a 49-year-old woman and cited Holly Hamilton, 24, of Wolf Point for simple assault.Other CallsIn addition to the above calls, the WPPD responded to the following calls between Dec. 8 and 14: checks of wellbeing, six; civil standby, two; domestic disturbance, four; public assistance, nine; motor vehicle accidents, one; removal of unwanted individuals, 10; animal complaints, one; medical assistance, five; fire assistance, none; alarm, eight; assist other agency, two; unfounded report, eight; driving complaints, three; school requested assistance, none.

Gov. Steve Bullock submitted comments to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Dec. 1 regarding the agency’s proposed clean air rule changes that would address climate change.Bullock said that while we need to address climate change, he has some concerns about the impacts of the proposed rules on Montana. His administration has identified a number of changes to the rules that would be required in order to create the potential for new jobs and economic opportunities in the state.Bullock also called upon the Obama administration to dedicate more funding to low-carbon coal research, saying: “We’re going to be relying on coal resources for decades and we need to invest now in ways to make coal generation cleaner.”He highlighted three of the state’s comments to the proposed rules that, if the rules go forward, are vital to Montana’s interests.One is flexibility for how the state could develop innovative solutions to comply with the rules. Also, to ensure that Montana is credited with renewable energy generated here, even if that energy is exported to other states, and developing a more accurate baseline for setting emissions targets.“Montana is going to be an energy leader for generations to come and we’re poised to create thousands of new jobs while protecting the ones we have,” Bullock said. “I’m looking for realistic and commonsense solutions that work for Montana, expand our economy and protect our clean air and water.”In September, Bullock released a white paper developed by the Montana Department of Environmental Quality, which outlines five possible scenarios that result in compliance with the EPA’s proposed rate-based emission targets as well as Montana’s estimated mass-based target.“Some have suggested that we should not substantively weigh in on this rule and rather just hope the discussion goes away. Others say that we should end our use of coal tomorrow. Neither of those extremes are going to result in a brighter future for Montana,” said Bullock. “I’m committed to a made-in-Montana solution that balances our energy needs while protecting our environment for future generations.”

Santa and Mrs. Claus made their first visit to Wolf Point this season. The third annual Northeast Montana Health Services Charitable Foundation Festival of Trees and the first Get Lit In Wolf Point Festival of Lights and Stroll were a success. That event, sponsored by the Wolf Point Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture, replaced the Festival of Lights Parade that had less participation in recent years. Photographer Nicole Huber took pictures with Santa, Mrs. Claus and the Grinch in the ballroom in the Elks Club and donated the proceeds to the NEMHS Charitable Foundation. Paige and Peyton Gray Hawk of Poplar were among the first children to meet Santa Claus. (Photos by John Plestina)

The Church of Christ in Wolf Point and Poplar Assembly of God Church presented a live nativity inside the front window of the Blessing Shop on Main Street during the first Get Lit In Wolf Point Festival of Lights and Stroll. Pictured are (from left to right) Aisha Spotts, Charlie Spotts, Christopher Spotts, Rachel Pew and Marita Iron Bear-Spotts.

One month after nearly 57 percent of Roosevelt County voters approved bond funding for a new jail and office space for the Roosevelt County Sheriff’s office, a Wolf Point man filed a complaint with the Montana Commissioner of Political Practices alleging misuse of county funds in support of the ballot measure that he said violated an opinion by the Montana Attorney General.Billy “Bill” Juve, who filed the complaint Wednesday, Dec. 3, was a vocal opponent of the bonding measure prior to the Nov. 4 general election.In the complaint, Juve cited a 2005 opinion by former Montana Attorney General Mike McGrath that public officials may express opinions about issues, but may not do so if the expression uses the public’s time, facilities, equipment, supplies, personnel or funds.Juve’s complaint asserts that the county commissioners hired a consultant with county funds to support the jail bond and that a paid political letter to the editor [published in The Herald-News and The Searchlight] and signed by Sheriff Jason Frederick, jail administrator Melvin Clark and the Roosevelt County Commissioners, and a pamphlet inserted in the newspapers supporting the ballot measure were paid for through the county commissioners, which Juve asserted is a violation of the 2005 Attorney General’s opinion.Juve did not have a detailed comment when The Herald-News contacted him Tuesday, Dec. 9.“That our elected officials abide by the rules of the State of Montana,” he said. “Whatever happens, happens.”Commission presiding officer Duane Nygaard called Juve a “ disgruntled taxpayer.”He said he doubted if anything would come of the complaint and said he could not comment on whether a decision in Juve’s favor by the Commissioner of Political Practices could nullify the vote.Vanessa Sanddal, an investigator for the Commissioner of Political Practices, said she could not say what might happen. “That’s something the commissioner would have to speak to after we gather the facts,” Sanddal said. “Anyone can file a complaint.”She said Commissioner Jonathan Motl would render a decision on the complaint, possibly after Christmas.Voters in November approved the measure with a 47.58 percent voter turnout. A lower, 34.88 percent voter turnout prevented passage of a similar measure in June.The approval authorizes the county commissioners to issue and sell $11.86 million in general obligation bonds to be repaid within 20 years.The current jail is under-sized and does not meet current jail standards.Legal action brought by the American Civil Liberties Union in 2013 forced Roosevelt County to reduce the number of jail beds by nearly one half.

The Wolf Point Police Department is offering a $500 cash reward for information leading to the person or persons responsible for at least 12 separate shooting incidents during the past week with thousands of dollars in reported damages.Most of the incidents occurred on the north side of Wolf Point.Lt. Brian Erwin said Monday, Dec. 8, that the WPPD has investigated eight shootings of windows in houses and four involving parked vehicles, all with one or more windows damaged. One of the vehicles was a motorhome.Erwin described the weapon police believe was used as a low-power rifle, possible a BB gun.“We believe that one or more individuals are responsible for these acts,” Erwin said. “This is a multi-thousand dollar loss.The WPPD is offering the $500 reward seeking information leading to whoever is responsible.